for Dark Souls™: Prepare to Die Edition
Author: Sean Pesce
Author: Sean Pesce
For source code, updates, and other information about this project, check out the public repository on GitHub.
Texture mods tab
Background
This is an old project that I created a few years ago with the intent to become more familiar with JavaFX and UI design. I wasn't planning on releasing it, but I found that I was repeatedly reinstalling it for myself and my friends every time we installed Dark Souls on a new computer. Yes, the file size is way larger than it needs to be (mostly due to the self-contained JRE), but this is far outweighed by the program's usefulness if you're a hardcore Dark Souls fan (bandwidth isn't an issue for most people these days anyway).
Disclaimer
The code's a huge mess, because (as I said before) this project was a learning experience first and foremost, and the first significant project I ever created in my free time. I was still new to programming, and had little understanding of object-oriented design patterns, abstraction, etc. I understand now that there are far better languages for a program with this scope, but efficiency and optimization were not my original priorities. I might update it a bit more to finish a few things, but I probably won't be doing any code refactoring or implementing any major changes.
Overview
The Dark Souls Configuration Utility is a launcher, mod manager, and configuration tool for Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition on PC. Dark Souls is awesome, but it's probably one of the worst PC ports of all time. Luckily, the game has a very dedicated fanbase, and the community came together to create various fixes and updates to make it more playable. Unfortunately it can be a bit of a hassle to install and configure most of these fixes, and many people can't be bothered with doing so (nor do they want to play a game as broken as this one). The Dark Souls Configuration Utility aims to mitigate this issue by providing an easy-to-use, all-in-one resource for installing and configuring the most essential community fixes/mods.
Usage and Features
To run the Dark Souls Configuration Utility, open DSCfgUtil.exe in the main program directory (or search for 'Dark Souls Config Utility' in the start menu if you used an installer). For in-depth usage and feature descriptions, see the documentation in the /docs/ folder. A video demo for an older version of the program can also be found here.
@TODO: Add documentation in /docs/ with in-depth descriptions of usage/features.
@TODO: Add documentation in /docs/ with in-depth descriptions of usage/features.
Compiling
If you want to build the project yourself (rather than downloading a pre-compiled version), simply download the project and run
make_all.bat
. However, the script will only work if you meet the following criteria:- Add the JDK install directory to your %PATH% environment variable (See 'Adding to the %PATH% variable' below for instructions)
- Install Inno Setup
- Add the Inno Setup install directory to your %PATH% (See below)
- If your JDK is installed somewhere other than
C:Program FilesJavajdk1.8.0_121
, you'll need to edit line 39 ofmake.bat
, line 10 ofmake_with_additional_tex_mods.bat
, line 39 ofmake_lite.bat
, and line 10 ofmake_lite_w_extra_tex_mods.bat
with your JDK directory (Maybe I'll update this script to be more universal at some point so this won't be necessary).
Adding to the %PATH% variable: You can add to your %PATH% by going to Start→Edit the System Environment Variables→Advanced tab→Environment Variables→select 'Path'→Edit→New→paste the program directory→OK
After compiling the project with the batch script, the 8 different package variations (and the extra texture mods pack) will be available in the /Release/ folder.
- Portable packages come in a .zip and don't require installation. They can be run from anywhere on your computer, a flash drive, etc.
- Setup packages will run an installer to install the program onto your computer (adding a Start Menu entry and an Uninstall entry in the Control Panel).
- Lite packages (marked with an 'L') come without a self-contained Java Runtime Environment (JRE), which means that the file size is significantly smaller than the normal standalone packages. However, you must have a JRE installed on your computer for Lite packages to function. You can download the latest JRE here.
- Packages marked with an 'X' come with additional texture mods pre-installed. If you downloaded a package without the extra texture mods, you can download the extra texture mod pack as a separate file and merge it with your program folder to install them.
Acknowledgments
This project wouldn't exist if it weren't for these guys:
- Peter 'Durante' Thoman (Website, Twitter, GitHub) for creating DSFix, undeniably the most essential fix for Dark Souls on PC.
- Alessandro 'eur0pa' De Micheli (Website, Twitter, GitHub) for creating Dark Souls PvP Watchdog, the closest thing to anti-cheat that's available for Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition.
- Lane 'Wulf2k' Hatland (Website, GitHub, Reddit) for creating the Dark Souls Connectivity Mod to remedy the horrific wait times and general difficulties players would otherwise experience when attempting to engage in online play. Wulf2k also has some other extremely interesting work related to modding/reverse engineering Dark Souls; I highly recommend checking out his website.
- Methanhydrat (Website, Reddit) for creating the new Dark Souls Mouse Fix that enables true raw mouse input for the game. This is the Mouse Fix that DSCU uses.
- BANDAI NAMCO and (more importantly) From Software, Inc for publishing/developing Dark Souls and taking the risk by porting it to PC even though they had no experience in doing such ports (Note: This was before the series was hugely popular like it is today, so there was no guarantee that this move was a good business decision).
Other Contributors
- Colin Percival (Website, Twitter) for creating bsdiff and bspatch, which are used by Dark Souls Config Utility to switch between different builds of the game.
- David Stellini from StackOverflow, for finding some Windows registry-related Java code that I used. He's not the original author of the code (I'm not sure who is), but he posted it in this thread, which is where I came across it.
- Nicholas 'lebbers' Petska for creating the original Dark Souls MouseFix to fix the awful mouse controls for players who don't own a controller. This file was included in an older version of the Config Utility (replaced by Methanhydrat's DarkSoulsMouseFix).
- Jellybaby34 on Reddit for updating the original Dark Souls Mouse Fix to work with the latest version of Dark Souls. This file was included in an older version of the Config Utility (replaced by Methanhydrat's DarkSoulsMouseFix).
- Youri 'NullBy7e' de Mooij (GitHub) for creating the original fix for the (relatively unknown) bonfire input glitch. This file was included in an older version of the Config Utility (replaced by my FPSFix+, which applies the same fix method but in an automated fashion).
Last but not least, the creators of the texture mods included with this program:
![Mods Mods](/uploads/1/2/3/7/123706261/908043113.jpg)
- Improved aiming crosshairs*
- 'DSFix Enabled' Main Menu Logo Fix*
- Highly Visibility Health Bars*
- Combination of the previous two mods*
- Keyboard & Mouse Button icons*
- Xbox One Button Icons*
- Tree LoD Texture Fix
*Texture mods that I worked on to complete, fix, or improve in some way (Note: My edits aren't on the Nexus versions of these mods)
• 'Essential' texture mods (included in all program bundles)
◦ Extra texture mods (included in program bundles with the X label)
• 'Essential' texture mods (included in all program bundles)
◦ Extra texture mods (included in program bundles with the X label)
Built With
- Java SE Development Kit 8 by Oracle
- Inno Setup by JRSoftware
Media
Graphics settings tab
License
For unrelated inquiries and/or information about me, visit my personal website.
Dark Souls launched on PC over five years ago, yet still produces loads of neat user-made mods. Recent examples that've caught our eye include the Item Randomizer mod, Enemy Placement, Shovel Souls, and Boss Rush mode, to name but a few.
The latest is a work-in-progress by LordofSandvich, named 'Rekindled Edition', that tweaks over 350 aspects of the base game.
![Essential dark souls 2 mods Essential dark souls 2 mods](/uploads/1/2/3/7/123706261/703203463.jpg)
First launched earlier this year, the mod's most recent 2.2 update—Dark Souls Gameplay Rebalance—includes eight new classes and makes multiple tweaks across hundreds of weapons, armour, items, spells, rings, enemies and much more. The full list of adjustments can be viewed here—but one of my favourites has to be the fact those pesky Blowdart Snipers of Blighttown now 'only deal 45 toxic buildup.'
Moving forward, LordofSandvich wants to continue adding to the above while also changing certain weapon movesets or adding new ones entirely.
The creator also wants to change certain boss resistances, in order to make them more viable—'e.g. Quelaag, the Four Kings, and Seath are all immune to poison, toxic, and bleed, while the Asylum Demon family's resistances make sense for the most part'—and also wants to rename items and weapons to better reflect their likeness in the real world.
Check out the mod via its Nexus Mods page.
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Nothing is easy in the world of Dark Souls 3, and although exploring and experimenting will help you figure out the various systems that shape the game, this approach will also lead you to many untimely deaths in the process. It's easy for a string of unavoidable annihilation to become frustrating, and that's where this guide comes in - offering you a set of tips and tricks to set you on the right path as you explore the Cemetery of Ash, High Wall of Lothric and beyond. Whether you're a Dark Souls veteran or a newcomer to the series, read on for useful advice to get you up and running in the latest instalment.
![Essential Dark Souls Mods Essential Dark Souls Mods](/uploads/1/2/3/7/123706261/660341641.jpg)
1. Save Your Souls
When you defeat enemies, they'll sometimes drop Soul items which can be used to gain additional Souls by activating them from your inventory. These range from a meagre 50 from a Fading Soul or 200 for a Soul of a Deserted Corpse, to large items granting many thousands of Souls. Unlike the Souls you collect from actually defeating enemies, these items stay with you when you die so there's no way to lose them until activated, so wait until you're back at Firelink Shrine and ready to spend them before adding them to your Soul count. Once you start defeating bosses you'll also receive Boss Soul items from them, and although these will grant a huge number of Souls you should instead save them as you'll later unlock the option to trade them for special boss weapons and items.
2. Allot Your Estus
For the first time in the Dark Souls series, your character now has two flasks which can be used for recovery - the Estus Flask restores HP for your health, and the new Ashen Estus Flask restores FP for special skills and spells. The Ashen Estus Flask is found right at the start of the game by the fountain, and if you don't pick it up then you can't recover FP (duh) but you also won't be able to upgrade either type of flask, so make sure you have it in your inventory. Once you reach Firelink Shrine, visit Blacksmith Andre and you'll be given the option to Allot Estus. Here you can reassign your total number of flask uses between Estus and Ashen Estus, so you can adjust their allocation to best suit your play style. Should you find any Estus Shards on your travels, bring them to Andre and select the Reinforce Estus Flask option to give you an extra flask use.
3. Get An Early Boost
Heading up through Firelink Shrine and outside at the higher level, you'll find a locked tower which can only be accessed by purchasing the Tower Key from the Shrine Handmaid for a cool 20,000 souls. However, there's a little shortcut in this area you can use to reach the rooftop of the shrine and find some valuable items. Opposite the entrance to the tower, run at the tree then jump over to the rooftop ledge - you may need to reduce your Weight Ratio below 70% to make the leap. Once up on the roof, follow it clockwise until you find an opening leading to the rafters then carefully walk over them to grab the item on top - an Estus Shard to give you an extra flask use. Now head to the far side, along the rafter opposite where you entered and above the largest throne, and carefully strike or roll into the illusory wall ahead to reveal a secret passage. Walk to the end and drop down to the area below, where you'll find a chest containing a Covetous Silver Serpent Ring. When equipped, this gives you more Souls for every enemy you kill, helping you level up quicker.
4. Keep Rolling
During combat, you can click the right stick to lock on to the enemy in front of you, and flick the stick left and right to switch between enemies if there's more than one. Where possible, try to combine this lock with sidesteps or rolls to get behind your foe as they attack, then perform a standard attack from directly behind to execute a backstab to deal much greater damage. All enemies have standard attack patterns, so be patient and study their moves so you can judge when best to strike. When you perform a roll, you have a brief period of invulnerability during the animation, so practice this technique during combat and work on your timing, as this is particularly useful during boss fights. Bear in mind that if your Weight Ratio (displayed in the top right of the Equipment screen) is below 70% then you'll roll faster and further, and that any weapons equipped in the 1-3 slots of either hand count towards this weight - but items carried in your inventory do not. Equip only the weapons you currently need to get this ratio down and you'll be much more manoeuvrable.
5. Use The Environment
You'll no doubt find yourself facing enemies much more powerful than you're equipped to deal with, and taking them on in a straight fight will more often than not lead to your quick and unceremonious death. It is possible to use the environment to your advantage in these situations, and sometimes avoid the fight completely. Once you've attracted the attention of the enemy in question, keep your distance and lure them towards the edge of a large drop. Stand between them and the precipice, then try to get them to attack in your direction before rolling out of the way at the last second. If they haven't already dropped off, give them a quick whack and they should plunge to their doom. If the enemy drops a reward on death you should either receive it immediately, or return to the area after resting at a bonfire to find the item(s) where the character previously spawned.
6. Find An Explanation
See that screen above? There's a ton of information on there, and unless you're a returning Dark Souls master you probably haven't got a clue what most of it actually means. Fear not, as there's plenty of in-game help you can call upon to get an explanation. In the Equipment, Inventory or Status screens, hit the prompt for Help then select the Explanation option. Now you can move the cursor over any of the myriad of icons, revealing a description of each one to help decipher your stats.
7. Healing Miracle
By visiting the Shrine Handmaid at Firelink Shrine, you can buy a Talisman and the Heal Aid Miracle, then equip it with the Attune Spell option at any bonfire. You'll need a minimum Faith level of 10 to be able to use the Talisman, so get the relevant upgrades from the Fire Keeper to reach this requirement. Once met, you can equip the Talisman as a weapon then activate it to restore a portion of your HP, as the cost of FP. You should be able to get at least three uses of the Talisman before needing to refill your FP, making it more efficient at recovering HP than the Estus Flask - though obviously not as convenient to use during combat! Find a balance between using the Talisman and Estus Flask to get maximum HP between rests at bonfires.
8. Don't Trust Chests
As you explore, chests are a very welcome sight as they often contain useful items or new weapons to bolster your arsenal. Be warned though - things are not always what they seem, and sometimes they're actually Mimics taking on the form of a chest to trick you. Follow the standard interact prompt and instead of a reward you'll get dragged into the jaws of the beast, probably killing you at lower levels. To protect yourself from this undignified fate, make sure you give chests a quick strike with your weapon before attempting to open them, and be prepared for a fight if it suddenly sprouts legs and comes after you! Be careful to only hit it once though, as a couple of strikes on an actual chest can destroy it along with anything contained inside.
9. Hollow Victory
As you make your way around the High Wall of Lothric you'll come across plenty of hollow soldiers, most of whom are just wailing and gnashing their teeth, and can be picked off for bonus Souls with no issue. However, occasionally you'll approach one and they'll morph into a swirling mass of tentacles and evil, presenting a much tougher foe to fight. If you act quickly enough when you see this happening (or know which hollow soldier to attack from a previous visit) then you can strike them down during the transformation and defeat the monster before it has formed. This will stop you from getting the reward item which drops the first time you beat each of these beasts, so it's worth fighting their final form at least one - keep your distance and fling a handful of firebombs in their direction to make the victory a simple one.
Looking for more help? Then check out our Dark Souls 3 boss guide for a walkthrough of how to defeat every top tier enemy.
Here's something true: Dark Souls is hard. The whole world knows it by now. Ask any Doe on the street and they'll tell tear-eyed stories about 'that one boss' that nearly ruined them.
Still, for the truly experienced players there’s always the need for a greater challenge. Players usually do this through making unconventional character builds, adding their own rules, or by playing with plastic drum sets and bananas attached to car batteries. But most PC players just do the sensible thing and mod the game.
Mods can give you faster enemies, less health, randomized weapons, and other nearly game-breaking changes. To accommodate the thirstiest Dark Souls players, we’ve created a guide on how to install some of these mods to help you make Dark Souls as difficult as possible.
Before you dive in, one thing: As these mods alter the game’s files, it’s highly recommended you back up any save or critical game files before giving them a go. You should also try these mods on a new save anyway for a fresh experience and to avoid screwing up an existing playthrough.
Randomize item locations
If you’ve beaten Dark Souls in the past, there’s a chance you’ll remember where all the best weapons and loot are. The Item Randomizer Mod by HotPocketRemix strips you of this knowledge, letting you explore Lordran anew.
You’ll require a hex editor, a BND rebuilder, the randomizer, and a copy of Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition to make the mod work. The steps are covered in detail both on a Reddit post by its creator and in an easy-to-follow YouTube video uploaded by the user Kazeugma.
It works by replacing a parameter file with a similar one created by the randomizer. This switches the location of certain items based on the difficulty you’ve selected. For instance, you can choose to move all key items around, separate armor sets, or swap non-essential objects.
In my own run, the mod relocated items like the Cage Key from Sen’s Fortress to the Firelink Shrine and the Dragonslayer’s Bow to the Undead Burg. It also moved helpful equipment like the Grass Crest Shield to an unknown location, which has led me on a so far disappointing quest to recover it.
If you want to randomize the item locations another time, follow the steps again and use the randomizer to generate a new file. Replace the existing file you made previously and the equipment and loot will swap around again.
It’s important to note that using this mod will not place any keys beyond the doors they’re needed to unlock. This means you won’t get stuck in the first room of the Undead Asylum.
Make enemies meaner
The New Aggression Mod is based on an old cheat engine script that made non-playable characters chase the player. The original was fun, but it had some huge problems. Most notably, that NPCs would walk off cliffs trying to follow you. This new mod addresses a lot of these issues by only affecting enemies and balancing certain areas that became impossible to get through.
There are three different editions of this mod which alter the range enemies can sense and see you from. These make playing the game particularly difficult, as they remove the limits on how close enemies need to be to initiate combat and increase the distance they can travel from spawn points. This means a swarm of enemies will come running at you every time you enter a new area and won’t leave you alone until you’ve killed them.
To install the mod, download and extract the files and place them in the game’s data directory. There should be a prompt to replace the existing dvdbnd3 files. Overwrite them, and you should be all good to go.
Speed things up
Dark Souls can be a slow and methodical game. Too slow for some. Adrenaline Mode picks up the pace by increasing the player’s speed by 20 percent and the enemies' by 100 percent, resulting in chaotic battles that can be over in seconds.
Coupled with the New Aggression Mod, the Adrenaline Mode is a real test of the player’s reflexes. It challenges you to be aware of your surroundings and anticipate enemy patterns way in advance. And yeah, it works on bosses too.
To activate this mod, install the latest version of Cheat Engine, then download the ct file as well as TechnoJacker’s cheat table. Run the game, then minimize the window. Now launch the mod file and TechnoJacker’s table. Enable the Perma-Gravelorded hack on the latter and the mod will activate itself.
Make your character (almost) useless
By far the easiest way to make Dark Souls harder is by altering the player’s max health and stamina attributes. You can do this by opening the updated Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition script (available here) in Cheat Engine, then changing both of these values to one.
Playing with these conditions is exceptionally tough. You can’t run, roll, or jump, and getting hit will result in immediate death. This makes even the weakest enemies a potential lethal threat, as you can do everything right only to be hit by a stray attack.
Best Dark Souls Remastered Mods
This mod is particularly popular with experienced Dark Souls players. If you’re interested in seeing someone else attempting this run before doing it yourself, the YouTuber LobosJR has done similar runs that can be viewed over on his channel. These videos will give you an idea of how difficult it can actually be.
Force yourself to juggle weapons
The Random Weapon Mod is my favorite of the lot, which explains why I’ve kept it till last. It gives the player a new weapon every seven seconds. Weather app for windows 8.1 download.
You might think this mod would make the game easier by giving you some high-level items early, but it also includes shields and items you can’t wield effectively. It also never lasts long enough for you to get the full benefit out of a single weapon. This means you can come across a decent weapon, only for it to be replaced seconds later by something completely useless.
Dark Souls 3 Mod Tool
You can download the mod . It uses a modified version of the cheat table created by TechnoJacker with a new script by two players called Kelsper and Psibat. You just have to launch this table and enable the script, then it will start working. Enjoy!